Effect of Work Environment on Employee Productivity in Manufacturing Firms in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of work environment on employee productivity in manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: determine the effect of safety of work on employee engagement; to ascertain the effect of supervisor support on employee motivation; to examine the effect of workload and work-life balance. This work was reviewed under the following sub-headings conceptual reviews; theoretical frame work; theoretical exposition and empirical reviews. The study was anchored on the Job Characteristics Model (Hackman & Oldham, 1976). The study adopted a descriptive survey design. 404 valid questionnaires were used from the sample of 412 employees selected through stratified random sampling from six plastic manufacturing firms across the three senatorial zones in Anambra State. Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaires, and analyzed using regression analysis via SPSS Version 23. Findings revealed a significant positive effect of safety of work on employee engagement (R = 0.785, R² = 0.616, p = 0.000), indicating that safety in the workplace accounts for 61.6% of the variance in employee engagement. Supervisor support was also significantly influenced employee motivation (R = 0.806, R² = 0.649, p = 0.000), implying that 64.9% of the variance in motivation is explained by perceived supervisor support. The effect of workload on work-life balance was also statistically significant (R = 0.772, R² = 0.596, p = 0.000).The study concluded that a conducive work environment significantly influences employee productivity. It recommended that management should ensure workplace safety, foster supervisor support, manage workload, and enhance incentive structures to improve employee outcomes